What did Hortiz say about Johnston staying?

Hortiz’s message: Johnston should be in 2026

Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz made it clear that the organization does not plan to trade wide receiver Quentin Johnston. The comments came as the team nears a major decision on whether to exercise Johnston’s fifth-year option.

Johnston’s situation has been a frequent topic because he is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and that timing naturally creates chatter around player availability. Early in March, rumors circulated that Los Angeles might explore trade options. However, as of the latest discussion, no deal has emerged and the Chargers are still working through their contractual evaluation.

Hortiz tied the team’s approach directly to the fifth-year option decision: the Chargers are still deciding whether to pick it up, but they are not operating as if Johnston is moving elsewhere. In effect, the team’s leadership treated the trade noise as something to shut down rather than a negotiation to pursue.

This matters because it influences how the Chargers can build the rest of their offensive plan. If Johnston is expected to remain on the roster, Los Angeles can treat him as part of the long-term receiver core rather than an asset to be flipped for immediate upgrades.

The bottom line is that Hortiz presented a relatively stable forecast: Johnston is not being shopped, and the Chargers expect to have him in 2026 while they complete their internal contract-option process. For fans and opponents alike, the practical takeaway is that any trade pursuit would require the Chargers to change course from their publicly stated position.